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How to Select a Vet Tech School near Galena Kansas

Galena KS vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Galena KS could initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. After they have located some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when assessing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Galena KS

cat with cone after surgery in Galena KS One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Galena KS veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Galena KS laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Galena

student attending online vet tech school in Galena KS An option that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Galena KS veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Galena KS Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Galena KS vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Galena KS area and across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Galena KS area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Kansas school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Galena KS veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Galena KS veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Galena KS veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Galena KS schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Galena KS home, you need to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Galena KS. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Galena KS?

If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Galena Kansas area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.

Galena, Kansas

Although the railroad was built through the territory of Galena in 1871, the town did not start until the discovery of lead there in the spring of 1877.[7] The first post office was established in 1877.[8]

The city was originally platted by the Galena Mining and Smelting Company and was to be known as Cornwall. The city was actually known as Short Creek when first established because of a nearby creek and was known as Bonanza briefly before taking the present name of Galena in 1877, which is named after the lead ore galena found in the area.[9][10] The city was part of the tri state mining area and had over 30,000 inhabitants. After the mines closed in the 1970s, population decreased.

The Jayhawk Ordnance Works northwest of Galena, built during World War II, was a large ordnance plant producing ammonium nitrate. After the war it was privatized by its operator Kenneth Aldred Spencer and at one point was the world's largest producer of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in the world. It would form the basis for the Spencer Chemical Company's fortune which would eventually be funneled into numerous philanthropies throughout Missouri and Kansas. The Spencer family had been in the area because of their ownership of the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Co. mining operation.[11] The plant is still in operation as the Jayhawk Fine Chemicals Corporation.

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech College near Galena KS

Galena KS vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal vet tech school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students considering vet tech programs must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Galena KS.